Page 21 of A Bridge Through Time (The Bridge Through Time #1)

C ormac watched Ashley, as she quickly walked away from the keep. Where could she be off to, in such a hurry? Cailin would nae be pleased with Cormac, if he let her come to any harm and so he decided to follow her, partly out of curiosity and partly to ensure the lass’s safety.

He was thoroughly enjoying the view of Ashley’s rounded and shapely buttocks, when she suddenly spoke.

"I know you're following me, Cormac," Ashley snapped, sounding none too pleased. “How am I supposed to find my way back to town, when no one will take me and I get watched like a hawk whenever I try to sneak away? Someone’s always hovering,” she muttered angrily.

Cormac ignored her rant. "These are dangerous times, Ashley," Cormac said calmly. "Cailin would have me head if I’d seen you leaving the castle and didnae escort ye properly to yer destination. I was merely giving you some space."

"I don't need an escort," she yelled.

"No need to be angry, lass. We're only concerned for your safety."

Ashley just growled and increased her pace.

"Where are ye off to in such a hurry?"

"Glendaloch."

Cormac raised an eyebrow. "And where is this Glendaloch you speak of?"

"I'm not sure, but I think it's this way." Cormac thought she looked uncertain, but she pointed straight ahead.

Cormac smiled knowingly. "Why do ye walk so fast, lass?"

"I always walk fast."

"I ken that, but why?"

"Because it’s how I stay in shape."

Cormac reached out and caught her arm, puzzled by her strange words. “In shape?” he repeated.

"I don't want to get fat," she explained tersely, her voice confirming to Cormac she’d rather be anywhere but here and dealing with him. Again, he wondered why she’d stormed off from the castle in such a state, but he would find the underlying cause of it in time.

"Fat?" he echoed. This lassie was beautiful, but she had some strange ways of talking and thinking, which he nae understood.

Her response was to puff out her cheeks and try to make her slim body look rounder.

Cormac laughed, but spoke quickly to reassure her. "Yer nae fat, lass. Truth be told, yer quite bonnie."

"That's kind of you to say, but where I come from, men like women who look like they haven’t eaten in months."

"These men where you come from must be daft,” Cormac growled.

“When I said I was walking behind ye to give ye some space, it wasnae the entire truth.

‘Twas because ye have such a sweet wee bottom and I like the way it swings back and forth when ye walk.” He offered her a cheeky grin.

“I think it would be even better though, if ye slow down a wee bit. "

Her face reddened with embarrassment and she lowered her gaze to the grass. "Thank you, I think," she stammered.

Cormac shrugged. "Come, lass, let me walk with ye, but there be no Glendaloch where ye be headed." He took her hand and placed it in the crook of his arm.

Ashley started muttering again, but Cormac could make nae sense of her words.

“How am I ever going to get back to my hotel?” she grumbled in a low voice.

“Obviously, I’m not going to get there today, not with you tagging along.

Besides, I have to admit, I’m not even sure which direction Glendaloch is in. ”

“Did ye say something, lass?” Cormac tried very hard to hide his amusement at Ashley’s way of dealing with problems. If this is what she did every time she had troubles, Cailin was surely going to be kept well amused by this woman he seemed so besotted with.

“It’s not important.”

Cormac decided to ignore her ranting and do his best to figure out how to abort her escape plan. Cailin would surely thank him later, if he could convince her to return to the castle.

***

They walked on in silence and came to the top of a bluff. Down below was a beautiful beach and Ashley let out a small cry of delight. "Is there a way down?"

Cormac nodded and gave her one of those breathtaking MacBayne smiles, before he led her towards a narrow path winding its way down towards the sand. He went first and held his hand out for her to take. Holding her fingers tightly in his, he carefully guided her along behind him.

“Thank you, Cormac. I can use all the help I can get with this damn gown I have to wear.”

Cormac suffered a twinge of guilt as he guided Ashley, aware that it was wrong of him to be enjoying her company. He didn’t want to think about what Cailin would do to him, if Cormac let anything happen to Ashley, so he needed to be here with her, he rationalized.

The sheer joy on Ashley's face was worth the pounding he'd probably take, if Cailin discovered where they were.

They sat side-by-side on the sand and watched the waves crashing on the shore.

"It's so beautiful," Ashley sighed. "I've always loved the beach.

When I was a little girl, my family would rent a cottage every summer.

My Dad and I would hunt for beach glass, pretty rocks, and seashells.

One summer I found a beautiful moonstone on the beach.

Dad had it professionally cut, polished and made into a pendant for me.

I told him I'd never take it off. I've worn it every day for years.

" Her hands touched her neck absently where the moonstone had once lain, but she must have lost it back at the bridge.

Cormac didn't understand all she spoke of, but he sensed she was quite distressed.

"Why are ye not wearing it then, lass?" He gazed at the spot where her hand rested at her throat.

"I lost it," she said solemnly. “It’s the only thing I had left from my father and now it’s gone.” Tears welled up in her eyes and Cormac did his best to keep them from falling.

"‘Tis a shame. Mayhap we could find you another."

"No, it wouldn't be the same,” she sniffled. “But thank you, it was a lovely thought."

"So, do ye want to tell me the real reason ye were trying to walk away from us?" Cormac asked quietly.

Ashley remained silent for a long time and he wondered if she would tell him it was nae his business. Just as he was about to give up and suggest they walk back up the bluff, she sighed and spoke.

"I’ve been a fool."

"A fool?"

Ashley tugged at the skirt of her gown, twisting the fabric between her fingers. "I'm not from around here, you know that."

Cormac nodded.

"I guess I just misread the signs with Cailin,” Ashley admitted in a rush, fearful she’d lose her courage before she could finish explaining.

“I thought your brother was…" she didn't know how to put it, so Cormac would understand.

"I thought your brother was interested in me,” she admitted miserably.

“I thought that we were becoming more than just friends. "

Cormac threw his head back and chuckled. "Cailin, he’s verra interested in ye, lass. So interested, he would be most angry if he knew I was sitting here with ye on this beach, enjoying yer company on this glorious day."

"If he's so interested in me, why was he with someone else this morning?” Ashley snapped angrily. “He had his arm wrapped around her and they were laughing together as they strolled off."

"Do ye ken who she was, lass?" Cormac asked curiously. He doubted there was anything-untoward going on; the look he’d seen in Cailin’s eyes told Cormac his brother was serious about Ashley.

"No. Remember, I’m not from around here," Ashley admitted miserably.

Cormac silently vowed he would pummel his brother, if Cailin broke Ashley's heart.

"Ashley, I dinnae ken what’s happened, but I ken Cailin. I've seen the way he looks at ye and I have never seen him look at another lass in the same way. That’s the honest truth, I swear. He is quite taken with ye, lass."

He caught a little ray of hope spark in her eyes, but just as quickly, it faded away. "But why was he with that girl?"

"I think ye need to ask him that question yerself, lassie. And I think when ye do, ye'll be happy with his answer."

***

Cailin had been so busy over the past few days, he’d barely had time to sleep, and worse, he hadn't had any time at all to see Ashley. He missed her. He was never as happy when he was separated from her. Worse, he felt guilty for leaving her alone while they’d struggled to get everyone settled.

He’d been on his way to find her this morning, determined to spend at least a few minutes in her company, when he was sidetracked by Kenna, who’d just arrived with Cailin’s good friend, Gavin.

He hadn’t seen his childhood friends since they’d married last year and had left the keep to begin their life together.

Cailin was delighted to see Kenna and happily agreed to go with her to greet Gavin.

“Only for a few minutes though,” he warned Kenna.

“I’ve things I need to get done this morn. ”

Kenna led him through the multitude of campsites set up in the outer bailey. Gavin was busy setting up their shelter as Cailin and Kenna approached.

"Gavin," Cailin called.

Gavin glanced up and gave his friend a huge grin. He hurried across the space separating them and locked arms with Cailin, who pulled him into a fierce hug.

"‘Tis good to see ye," Cailin said.

"Aye. ‘Tis good indeed," Gavin agreed.

"I’m sorry there be no room fer ye in the keep." Every square inch of space seemed to be filled with warriors or tenants and their families, and had been for more than twenty-four hours.

"I ken there are many who have come in for their safety," Gavin agreed.

“‘Tis good to see ye both. It brings back fond memories of yer days fostering with Robert,” Cailin reminded him. It was common practice among the clans, to send their sons to be raised by a respected leader or friend.

“Aye, that it does. I have yer clan to thank for taking me in, else I may not have met me lovely wife.” He lovingly cupped Kenna’s chin in his palm and pressed a kiss to her forehead.